THE 2021 GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS & ODDS

The two-time Grand National winner didn’t get the chance to defend his crown in April but he should be back for another shot in 2021. He briefly left the betting markets following a terrible run at Cheltenham but retirement talks were dismissed and he goes back in as race favourite.

A Cheltenham winner in the Kim Muir over 3m2f, he took his chances at the Irish Grand National last season but unfortunately fell. This season has been a mixed bag, unseating at Leopardstown but was then third last time out over 2m5f. If he can stay the course he has a good chance of placing.

Another class runner owned by the Ricci’s, Burrows Saint gave trainer Willie Mullins his first Irish Grand National win in 2019. A recent win at Punchestown also boosted his claims. Will be 8 years old for the 2021 Grand National so a good age to challenge.

Moved into the Grand National 2021 betting market when it was announced that he would be moved to trainer Gordon Elliott who has since confirmed that the National is a possible aim for the chaser. Won the RSA Chase in 2018 before stepping up to the Gold Cup in 2019 and 2020, though he didn’t place in either.

Trainer O’Neill has always had one eye on the Grand National for Cloth Cap. His chances have significantly improved on the back of his win last time out at Newbury in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase.

A win in the Welsh Grand National in January and Secret Reprieve got himself off to a great start in 2021. Despite only being 7-years-old, trainer Evan Williams said he would seriously consider the Grand National but also has one eye on Cheltenham.

Winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2020, it’s easy to see why there are Grand National 2021 odds on The Conditional. It rounded off a very successful season for the 8-year-old and connections will be hoping he can continue his winning ways.

Nearly spoiled the Tiger Roll party in 2019 but had to settle for second place. The only mare to run in the race, she was also trainer Jessica Harrington’s first entry and a delight for those that had backed her each way at staggering odds of 125/1. Was on back-to-back wins last season and still looks great.

Beaten by only a neck in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, losing to Al Boum Photo, Santini is a great chaser but I doubt he’ll be heading to Aintree for the 2021 Grand National. It could be the gold cup again.

A very interesting 2021 Grand National prospect. Pulled up in the Irish Grand National but has since finished 2nd in the Becher Chase at Aintree before heading to Warwick to win a big race over 3m5f.

Elegant Escape has previously been tipped to run in the National but has never quite made it. Will 2021 be different? Last season wasn’t great and he finished second last in the Gold Cup following his disappointing run at Haydock. That said, he is a great horse and previously won the Welsh National.

A truly great chaser that has won or placed in 17 of his 18 career chase starts. Skipped the last Cheltenham festival and could very well make the Grand National 2021 his aim for this season.

Was so close to winning the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham but was pipped to the post by The Conditional. It was the chaser’s best result of the season and connections will be hoping the momentum continues into 2021.

Winner of the Midlands Grand National in March and the Welsh Grand National in December 2019, Potters Corner has stamina in bucket loads. Will need rain and soft ground to bring out the best in him but on the upside, he did win the Virtual Grand National!

Upset the Tiger Roll party at the Cheltenham Festival when he won the Glenfarclas Chase in fine style. A really superb long distance chaser that could seriously contend for the 2021 Grand National.

Always does well around the Grand National fences. Was 4th in 2018 and fifth in 2019 despite being top weight. He was also second in the Gold Cup which he didn’t re-enter in 2020. Hasn’t had the best season so far but his previous experience around the course is definitely a boost.

Lightly chased with only six starts over fences, Aye Right put himself into Grand National 2021 contention when finishing second to Cloth Cap in the Ladbrokes trophy Chase in November.

Winner of the Many Clouds Chase in December, this could be Lake View Lad’s second shot at the National after he pulled up in 2019. Always popular as one of the few greys to run, can he continue his winning ways in April 2021?

Won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December and went straight into the Grand National 2021 betting market. Ran in the RSA Chase last March but unseated his jockey and looks likely to head back there again in 2021, possibly for the Gold Cup.

Was 4th in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham last season and has been steadily climbing through the chasing ranks. Another good season and he could be one to watch in 2021.

Is better known as a hurdler but began his chasing career last season and did well as a novice. Only time will tell if he can step up in class and distance so a lot depends on his prep before the National in 2021.

As the winner of the Becher Chase, hopes were high in 2019 and Walk In The Mill didn’t disappoint. Running a great race he finished in 4th place. He has since won another Becher Chase and looks good for the 2021 Grand National.

Winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 in the National Hunt Chase over 3m7f. It was also his first attempt at a race of 3m+ so to win it was quite an achievement. Has since run in the Becher Chase at Aintree and finished 5th at Warwick over another lengthy 3m5f.

Has only been chasing for one season but is already showing signs of being very impressive. Won the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival on his first start at more than three miles and won on his return this season at Galway. Elliott definitely has the Grand National 2021 in mind for him.

An absolute legend of a horse, Bristol De Mai has notched up earnings of more than £700K during his career so far. He has also won or placed in 20 of his 25 chase runs. Even the heavier weight won’t slow him down.

Was a hot favourite going into the 2017 Grand National but was pulled-up. Has taken on quite a few graded chases since then and was 4th in the Becher Chase in December 2019. Second place in the Peter Marsh Chase and a win at Kelso boosted his Grand National 2021 claims.

Has only been chasing since May 2019 but in that time has run out six times, winning two and placing in another two so his record is solid. Will need to put the work in this season to make the cut for the 2021 Grand National.

Yala Enki is a fine horse that moved from trainer Venetia Williams to Paul Nicholls. Has had a few Grand National entries but has never actually run in it and instead ran in the Gold Cup last season, finishing in 7th place. Was third in the Welsh National and is usually partnered with Bryony Frost.

Moved to trainer Willie Mullins in April 2019, having had a racing career in France until then. Has run five times for the new yard but hasn’t been seen since Jan 2020.

Won last time out at Ascot is a solid chaser who has notched up five wins from 14 starts over fences. Usually heads to the Cheltenham Festival and undoubtedly will go there again in March. Whether he runs in the 2021 Grand National is another matter entirely.

Ran in the 2019 National but unfortunately fell early in the race. Returned to Aintree for the Becher Chase in December 2019 and finished 11th, a long way off the winner. Improved at Ascot with a win and at 11-years old for the Grand National 2021, could do very well.

Has been an excellent chaser in races up to 3 miles, including a 2nd place at Cheltenham and a win last time out in the Sky Bet Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Good ground will suit him best as he’s a speedy horse who needs quick going.

There was a lot of buzz around Discorama last season and with another year under his belt, he could be one to watch for the 2021 Grand National. He was third in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival in 2020 and if he keeps up his decent form then expect his odds to fall if he gets an entry. He may also head to the Welsh national first so watch this space.

Shaping up to be a handy chaser with five wins or places from six starts over fences. Still quite young and relatively inexperienced in terms of Grand National contenders but if he has a good prep season, he may get an entry and have a run.

Few horses in contention for the 2021 Grand National run as frequently as Cloudy Glen who seems to be out racing every couple of weeks. This is a chaser that definitely loves the soft or heavy going but lacks consistency in his form.

Seen last time out winning the BobbyJo Chase at Fairyhouse in Feb 2020, Acapella Bourgeois has previously been entered into the National but has never run in it. In fact, he’s never run at Aintree. Will the 2021 Grand National be his first time?

An interesting prospect and one that might get an entry but lacks the long distance chasing experience. A decent record of four wins from seven starts but none of them beyond 3m.

With 20 wins or places from 27 chase starts, Black Corton is a real gem but one whose season hasn’t started as well as connections would like. He pulled up last time out at Cheltenham and that was after he unseated at Ascot. The 2021 Grand National would be a huge test of his stamina.

Was second in the Denman Chase in February and started this season with a win at Chepstow. When pushed to 3m2f at Newbury he was well beaten into 11th place, a full 53L behind the winner Cloth Cap. The distance of the Grand National 2021 will be his biggest issue.

Recently moved from trainer Willie Mullins to Sandy Thomson, Yorkhill started off shaky for his new yard when pulling up at Aintree. However, a month later he notched up a win at Newcastle though he will have to really step up in trip to have any chance at the Grand National.

Winner of the 2020 Becher Chase, his second from five attempts and has run in the National a remarkable four times, finishing but not placing in all of them. Will the fifth time be the charm in the 2021 Grand National?

Sold by the Wylie’s and moved from Willie Mullins to trainer Sandy Thomson in October 2020, Bellshill is a horse that occasionally put in great performances including the Irish Gold Cup in 2019. Hasn’t won since and was in last place at Haydock in November.

Potentially a very good chaser in the making, Copperhead stepped up to the Class One novices last season and did very well winning at Ascot. However, he will be too young and lacks the experience needed to tackle the Grand National fences in 2021.

Ran in the National in 2019 and pulled-up but to be fair, he was only 6 years old. Since then he has run mostly over hurdles but won on his seasonal chase debut at Cheltenham in November 2020.

Winner of the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in 2019, Beware The Bear could take his chances at the Grand National 2021 but only if the ground doesn’t try up prior to the race. Was 5th last time out in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase but a long way off the winner Cloth Cap.

Was entered in 2020 but was quite far down the list and unlikely to qualify. However, for 2021, with more chances to improve her rating, connections will be hoping to make it to the starting tape.

A handy chaser but over the shorter distances. Has never been tested beyond 2m7½f and hasn’t won a race since December 2018. The 2021 Grand National may be too much of an ask.